The Silverstone circuit in England is this weekend hosting the opening rounds of the FIA GT championship, the newly created European FIA GT3 and the continental series of the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy.

In the inaugural FIA GT3 race, it was a case of clear cut victory for the Ferrari F430 Challenge of Simonsen/Lester (JMB Racing.) In qualifying for the Grand Touring event, held on a wet track, the crew of Longin/Kumpen/Hezemans (Corvette) set the fastest time in the GT1 class, which did not feature any Prancing Horse cars. Next up were Bert/Janis (Saleen,) Deletraz/Piccini (Aston Martin) and Bartels/Bertolini (Maserati.) In the very popular GT2 category, pole went to the Ferrari F430 GTC of the Kinch/Kirkaldy (Scuderia Ecosse) duo, beating the Porsche of Collard/Riccitelli. The other F430 GTCs of Niarchos/Mullen (Scuderia Ecosse,) Sugdne/Alexander-David (JMB Racing, Sala/Aguas (AF Corse) and Bobbi/Melo (AF Corse) rounded off the places from third to sixth.


Race-1 of the continental one-make series was action packed and exciting with the new Ferrari F430 Challenge on centre stage. In the rain, France's Ange Barde (Modena Cars) took the win after a great climb through the field on the last lap, make the most of a mistake from John Bosch who was caught out by the extreme conditions. The Baron Racing-Kroymans team Dutchman had led for almost all the race and still finished second, crossing the line ahead of reigning champion, Ireland's Michael Cullen (Rossocorsa.) Victory in the class for the 360 Modena cars which are still allowed to compete for one final year, went to Italy's Sandro Mucelli (Ineco,) eleventh overall. In the first race of the Shell Cup for gentlemen drivers in the same Ferrari one-make series, Nicolas Misslin (Ferrari West Europe) won from Ettore Contini (Kessel Racing) and Coleman/Flux (Kessel Racing.)

Tomorrow, 7th May is the main day of the event with the single race in the FIA GT series and the other FIA GT3 and Ferrari Challenge events.